Mall of America Videos

Here are a few videos of Harper on the rides at the Mall of America.....she had no fear and can't wait to go back!

Elliet {1 month}

Elliet turned 1 month on Wednesday.  How is that even possible?  Didn't we just bring her home last week?!?!

Weight: 11.2 # (On our scale, clothed and diapered)

Clothing: Elliet can still fit into most of her 'newborn size' clothes, so we are trying to get the most use out of those right now.  She does wear some 0-3 month clothes, which are still a tad to big on her.

Diapers: Again, newborn diapers fit Elliet the best.  However we ran out of the newborn size last week, so she is now wearing size 1 diapers. (maybe a little too big, but they work) 

Eating: I made the decision to quit breastfeeding last week, so Elliet now drinks the Nestle Good Start - Gentle formula.  She eats 2-4 oz about every 3 hours.  We are not on a schedule yet.  We let Elliet tell us when she's hungry and how much she wants to eat.  Last week she was definitely going through a growth spurt and would eat 4 oz every 3 hours.  This week she is only interested in 2 oz.  So far the formula is settling well with her tummy.  

Sleeping: Elliet still sleeps quite a bit throughout the day.  Her favorite daytime spot to sleep is on our chests or in her swing.  She usually naps for a few hours, wakes up to eat, and stays awake for about 45 minutes to an hour before repeating the cycle again.  At night she sleeps in her crib, and has since the day we brought her home.  She wakes up every 3 hours or so to eat, and then goes right back to bed.  Elliet finally figured out her nights and days (knock on wood, please!).  She was wanting to stay up after her feedings - week 2 was very tiresome!  We are definitely looking forward to the 4-5 hours stretches of sleep! 

Personality: Oh Ellie - you are already a high-maintenance kind of girl!  (Don't worry, your big sister was at this age too)  When you are awake - you like attention.  You like to be held, walked around, and sat up-right.  You also like to snuggle :)  You are just starting to really look around and check things out.  Who knew a curtain could be so fascinating?!  You are usually content for the first 5 minutes or so if we lay you on your play mat - and then you're bored. 

Growth/Development/Health:

+ blue eyes
+ starting to loose your hair up front
+ have held your head up since week 3
+ already sitting in your bumbo chair for a few minutes
+ tummy time since day 9 (the day your cord fell off)
+ coo/smile in your sleep (cutest thing EVER!)
+ starting to enjoy bath time (except when I wash your hair and when it's time to get out)
+ your cry sounds like a cross between a piglet and a pterodactyl

Strawberry Cheesecake Salad

Here is a recipe for our favorite 'salad' right now - it's oh so perfect for summer!  It is so easy to make and tastes amazing.  You HAVE to give it a try.  You can thank me later. :)

Strawberry Cheesecake Salad

12 oz whipped topping (thawed)
1 small package of cheesecake pudding (powder)
3 (6 oz) strawberry yogurts
1 lb fresh strawberries, sliced
3 bananas, sliced
mini marshmallows (to your liking)

In a large bowl, stir together whipped topping, yogurt and pudding powder.  Let this set up in the fridge for an hour.  Add the bananas*, strawberries, and marshmallows just before serving.  Keep refrigerated.

*The bananas will brown if you add too soon

To make this salad/dessert healthier, I use fat-free/sugar-free cool whip, yogurt, AND pudding mix.  It still tastes amazing and I don't feel as guilty :)

Enjoy!

May Catch Up

Here is yet another post that is LONG overdue!  Here are some pictures from MAY....yes, May!  By the way, how are we already 1/2 way through July already?!?!

May brought us some fun times.  We made a visit to the Shields family, took a mini-vacay to Minneapolis, and Harper finished her first year of preschool!

We made a trip to Norwalk over Memorial weekend to visit the Shields family.  We grilled out and let the kids play.  It was so nice to finally be able to see my long lost best friend and catch up with her and her family life.

Adam reading Lia, Harper and Jack a book - aren't the kiddos all adorable?!

My BFF Ashley - so happy she's living in Iowa again!

It's hard to believe that my 'baby' already has her first year of school in the books!  That year went by extremely fast!  Harper socially grew so much this year - we are so proud of her, along with her teachers.  We attended Harper's end-of-year preschool program and it was the cutest little concert ever!  The kids sang about 10 different songs - and Harper sang and danced to every.single.one!  We were shocked!  I have some cute pictures and videos, but I'm not allowed to post them due to the school's policy. (because other kids are in them)  Harper is already looking forward to 4-year-old preschool and talks about it daily.  My goal for the summer is to teach Harper how to spell her last name and zip her coat.  

Last Day of 3-year-old preschool

At the end of May we took a mini vacation to Minneapolis to spend some quality time with Harper as the only child.  The weekend was all about her!  First, we went to the Mall of America, where we visited Build-A-Bear, The Disney Store, had lunch at McDonalds, and ended the day riding rides at the Nickelodeon Universe amusement park and getting ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery.  Harper LOVED the rides - I think she went on almost every ride that she was tall enough for.  She loved the roller coaster and bumper cars - who knew?!  (Last year she bawled on a little kid ride at the county fair!)  

In other May preschool news.....Adam and Ali made a visit to Harper's classroom.  Again, I'm not allowed to post any pictures, but the kids loved Ali.  And Harper was very proud :)

Harper and 'Star' - she picked him out and made him all by herself!

FEARLESS!

Go get 'em Harper!  Love the look on the other girls face! 

After leaving the Mall, we spent the night in Minneapolis, as we went to the Como Zoo the next morning.  We spent most of our time at the pool - surprise, surprise!  We enjoyed a relaxing evening in - and ordered pizza and just enjoyed the quality time with each other.  Harper didn't want to leave the hotel in the morning - she wanted to say for "40 more nights."

On Sunday morning we headed to the Como Zoo.  The zoo is free admission and very kid friendly.  The best part is that they have a small amusement park attached to the zoo.  We didn't actually go to the amusement park, but did ride the wooden carousel that is located right outside the park/zoo.  This particular carousel is HUGE, as it was the first carousel to be at the Minnesota State Fair.

I'm going to try to upload some videos of Harper riding some rides.  Stay tuned..........

Sneak Peak: Elliet {newborn}

My aunt took Elliet's 'newborn' pictures when we were home on the 4th of July.  I say 'newborn' because she was already 2 1/2 weeks old.  Still tiny, but not 'newborn' tiny.

She sent me one precious picture so far, as it's her busy season for weddings and the start of senior pictures. I can't wait to see the rest!

And here she is:

Isn't she perfect?!

My aunt Jodie snapped a few shots of Harper when she was just a few days old.  Click HERE to see a few pictures of Harper's newborn photos.

Elliet: 2 weeks

Elliet had her 2-week check-up today and man is she one healthy baby :)

By two weeks of age, the standard is to have baby back at birth weight.  Elliet nailed it.

Birth Weight: 8 lbs 2 oz

Discharge Weight: 8 lbs

2-Weeks: 8 lbs 12 oz

She has gained 12 oz since we've been home - what a big girl!  And all from exclusively breast-feeding, which makes me feel so much better knowing that she is getting enough more than enough to eat!

She also gained 1/4" since being home.  She now is 20 3/4" long.

Stats

Height: 75th percentile

Weight: 70th percentile

I looked back at Harper's 2 week stats - and the little peanut only weighed 7 lbs 15 oz at 2 weeks - Elliet weighed more than that when she went home!!!  

And just how is mommy's weight doing?  I gained a total of 28 lbs this pregnancy and have lost 25 so far!  3 more pounds to go until I'm at my pre-pregnancy weight.  Notice the emphasis on weight.  Weight and body shape are NOT the same thing.  Oh gravity............